Page 139 of Aftershock
His lips press into a fine line as he lets what I said sink in. I’m pretty sure no one, and I meanno one, has ever thrown him off like this.
Tonight, I have.
As I wait for his response, his expression changes. It shifts from mildly stunned to heated, then back to detached professionalism.
Yes, I was right. He likes the idea.
It’s a hardship to suppress a smile. To hold back from begging him to take me. But as always, I trust him, so I stay as still as a real patient would.
“Before we start.” His hand slides under my head, fingers moving slowly through my hair, grazing my scalp. “I don’t feel swelling, but I have to ask. How’s your head?”
My pulse skitters at his attention. He could have jumped right into sex, but instead, he puts me first.
“My head is fine. The rest of me, I think”—I spread my legs a few inches apart—“something’s not right, Doctor.”
As if refusing to be tempted before he’s sure I’m okay, Alaric cocks an eyebrow.
“Promise.”
“Lilith…”
My cheeks heat as I’m about to confess an embarrassing truth to him.
“I didn’t actually fall.” My teeth graze my bottom lip. “I was already lying on my back when I bumped my head on the floor. It’s nothing.”
Time stretches as his fingers probe the back of my head, checking, checking, checking.
“Okay, then.”
As he slides his hand carefully from under my head, darkness flashes across his eyes.
A moment later, Alaric the lover is gone, his warmth vanishing behind his physician’s mask.
Doctor Lockwood has taken over.
“Miss Rayne,” he says, voice even as he watches my face closely. He pulls his lips in when his gaze flickers lower to my breasts, to the outline of my peaked nipples, then he’s back to being cold and detached. “Tell me what date it is. And your full name.”
Nervous and turned on, I whisper the date, then add, “Lilith Rayne.”
“Not for long,” he murmurs under his breath. When I gasp, he clears his throat. “That’s a good sign.”
As much as I’m into our games, I have to hear it again. “You said something.”
“That you, being able to tell me your full name, is a good sign.” The weight of his authority has my stomach fluttering. “Next, I need you to tell me what hurts.”
My pussy, from being so empty without you.
“Something’s off.” My breath quickens when he grips my chin, tilting my head left and right. “There must be a reason why I passed out.”
“There usually is.” He lets go, only to drag his fingers down to the pulse point at my neck. “Don’t worry, Miss Rayne. I’m not clearing you until I’ve ruled out everything.”
“Thank you.”For playing along. For choosing me. For being my safe space.
“Hmm.”
His fingers move lower, trailing along my collarbone.
Then lower to my chest.
